5 things we learned at Falcons’ practice on Sunday — Freeman le

The Falcons held their first practice since losing the exhibition season-opener 23-20 to Miami on Thursday.

Coach Dan Quinn was already looking to the Sunday and Monday practices when he chatted pre-game in Miami with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“We’re going to go hard for two days and then get ready for the game,” Quinn said.

He said he didn’t like the long break between games (Thur to next Sunday. He’d prefer a weekly game schedule during the exhibition season.

Here’s what we learned in practice on Sunday:

1. Freeman leaves practice, Grace slowed. Falcons running back Devonta Freeman left the field, walking with a trainer about an hour and 20 minutes into the practice.

UPDATE, 12:07 p.m.: “I didn’t think he was going to come back,” Quinn said after practice. “He had some heat stuff that he dealt with from the first practice and again today. I didn’t get a chance to go in and see him yet, but I’ll find out.”

Linebacker Jermaine Grace was slowed by a hamstring injury. He was working with the trainers. Cornerback Akeem King was also held out of practice. Defensive end Martin Ifedi, who was working his way back from an ankle injury was not at practice.

“We are going to hold him this week, we’ll take a look after Pittsburgh,” Quinn said. “We’re going to let his ankle settle down. It’s really not coming around as fast as he’d hoped.”

2. Ward non-contact jersey. Running back Terron Ward, who led the Falcons is rushing with 48 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown against Miami, wore a black – no contact – jersey in practice.